UK's F-35B Fighter Jet Takes Off from Kerala After Month-Long Stay
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Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
IndiGo recalibrates Stretch deployment, strong balance sheet allows experimentation
Last August, when IndiGo turned 18, the airline launched a business class product named IndiGo Stretch. The airline had announced that it would induct 45 aircraft by the end of 2025 and offer IndiGo Stretch on 12 metro routes within India, starting with Mumbai- Delhi, the busiest route in India, from November 2024. The airline, since then, has started these flights on Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Bengaluru, Delhi-Hyderabad, Delhi-Chennai and Mumbai-Bengaluru routes. The airline has since recalibrated its plans to offer the product on routes to Singapore, Bangkok and Dubai, prioritising these markets over the remainder of the domestic markets. The airline already offers connections from Bangkok to its Amsterdam and Manchester flights, and over a period of time, would look at tweaking schedules to other points in South East Asia to offer a seamless two-way connectivity. The Stretch product will be an additional offering in the market. The airline, however, has not abandoned its plans to deploy the product in the remainder of cities in the Indian market but only recalibrated the timelines to focus more on the opportunity which the international network currently provides. This comes amid the airline taking fewer aircraft this year thus far, as compared to 2024 when it took deliveries of 58 aircraft, the highest ever, becoming the top carrier for Airbus last year. Comparatively, this year, the airline has taken deliveries of only 16 planes in the first six months of the year. The airline deployed the 787-9 Dreamliner to Bangkok from Delhi, with the Premium Economy in these Norse Atlantic aircraft marketed as Stretch. The same is now deployed to Amsterdam and Manchester. The product is remarkably different from what it offers on its own narrowbody network. Not only that, but the flights to Amsterdam and Manchester also offer hot meals and the passengers getting access to the lounge and alcohol included in the ticket, unlike those to Bangkok, Singapore and Dubai, where its own A321 in dual class operate or are scheduled to operate. IndiGo will have a long way to go to adjust the product and market mix and will possibly stabilise after 2027 when its own A350s enter service with a business class product which is currently under development. As of today, less than half a per cent of total seats on offer by IndiGo comprise the IndiGo Stretch. Even if it takes longer for the market to accept the product, the impact on the airline is minimal on both load factors and finances. IndiGo has a very strong balance sheet and that gives the airline a very long rope to try out new things, offering a longer period to try out its new offerings, unlike competition. As the product stabilises and the codeshare routes increase, there will be more routes in the market which will see demand for a business class product but the markets may not support 12 business class seats. Will the airline then look at a smaller business class cabin? The operational challenges of maintaining a sub-fleet are high, but in its own words, IndiGo has left the pure LCC station long back. As the airline completes deployment of Stretch product to Singapore, Bangkok and Dubai from Delhi and Mumbai, it may have to add to the 45 planes it plans to have Stretch if it has to add more international routes with Stretch and start adding domestic routes again. It has periodically announced sales for its Stretch product, a ploy to let passengers experience the product. If IndiGo's journey is seen over the last five years, the only thing constant is change.
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Hawaii Tsunami Warning: Terrified tourists sprint as cruise ship escapes tsunami panic
Hawaii tsunami warning triggered panic as cruise passengers, including Briton Rachael Burrows, rushed back to their ship. Sirens blared across islands, waves reached up to 4ft, and some tourists were left stranded. Locals evacuated coastal areas while Hawaii's governor urged people to stay safe amid potential 10ft waves. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Hawaii Tsunami Warning Cruise Passengers Flee as Sirens Sound Hawaii Tsunami Warning Stranded Tourists Share Chaos on Social Media Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Hawaii Tsunami Warning Prompts Island-Wide Evacuations Hawaii Governor Issues Safety Message British Family Caught in Hotel Lockdown Ongoing Monitoring in Hawaii FAQs A tsunami alert in Hawaii. Emergency sirens, evacuation orders and retreating tides sparked urgent actions. Tourists on a cruise ship were forced to rush back as it began leaving the island. Some passengers did not make it in time and were stranded Burrows from Macclesfield, Cheshire, was among the passengers caught off-ship when the tsunami alerts started. She was on a guided tour of the Big Island's volcanic area when emergency warnings began flashing on phones. The message warned people to move to higher ground and stay away from the tour guides stopped the trip and headed back toward the cruise port. Panic spread as more passengers received the same alerts. Ms Burrows said many people began running to reach the ship. She and a few others were among the last to board before it passengers were not able to return in time and were left behind. A TikTok video posted by user @mandythecruiseplanner showed a group of tourists at the port as their ship left without them. The person filming said their bus driver had no idea what was video revealed confusion and distress. The person said their family was already on the cruise ship and worried for those left onshore. They described the scene as chaotic and uncertain, with no clear information provided to stranded authorities warned that waves could reach up to 10ft across the northern islands. So far, waves up to 4ft have been recorded. Videos taken by residents showed water receding from beaches, a typical sign of an approaching in coastal areas were told to move inland or to higher ground. In Honolulu, warning sirens rang continuously. Traffic jams formed as people attempted to leave Waikiki and Oahu's low-lying Governor Josh Green said no major waves had yet passed the Big Island. He explained that until any significant wave activity is confirmed there, the threat cannot be ruled out. He advised people to stay alert for at least three hours. Governor Green urged residents to stay indoors and monitor local Bardwell from Benfleet, Essex, was vacationing with her husband and two daughters in Oahu when the alerts began. The family had just settled at the Beach Villas at Ko Olina when their phones buzzed with evacuation said her daughter panicked after watching the news. The family locked themselves in their 16th-floor hotel room, fearing the worst. Emma tried to stay calm for the sake of her children, but the memory of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami stayed in her continue to monitor ocean activity. No major damage or injuries have been reported yet. Tourists are being advised to follow local instructions and stay away from beaches. Stranded cruise passengers are being assisted by tour guides and local services.A tsunami warning caused tourists to rush back to the cruise ship as emergency alerts and sirens signaled a possible wave up to waves up to 4ft have already hit. Authorities expect more surges and are continuing to monitor the situation.
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Farah Khan takes her cook Dilip to Maldives, begins new travel vlog series
Filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan has launched a new travel vlog series featuring none other than her cook-turned-internet-sensation, Dilip. The duo have now taken their fun and banter to a whole new level with a vacation to the Maldives. Their first episode from the trip has gone video begins with Dilip proudly showing off his passport, joking that he might be the first person to ever own one. It marks his first international trip, and viewers are treated to his excitement as they board the flight. Once they land, things get even more hilarious. Farah introduces her manager, Kalp, only to discover that Dilip has brought a manager of his own! In a twist, Dilip is booked into a private water villa, while Farah ends up in a comparatively modest room. advertisementDilip and Farah also explore Maafushi Island, where Farah dances with locals in a traditional Maldivian dance. Dilip quips, "Ma'am, aap itna achha nachte ho, choreographer kyun nahi ban jaate? (You dance so well, why don't you become a choreographer?)" The fun continues as they learn how to make Maldivian chicken curry at a local's home, wear traditional outfits, and celebrate Eid together. Farah also feeds Dilip a cherry while they enjoy street-style food in a recreated Indian market setup in the vlogs with Dilip began in 2024 as a casual series where they'd cook at celebrity homes and have casual chats. Over time, the chemistry between them and their playful interactions turned the vlogs into a fan-favourite series, turning Dilip into an unlikely star in his own right.- EndsTrending Reel IN THIS STORY#Farah Khan
